The Miami Dolphins activated Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey from the physically unable to perform list before Saturday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, the team announced. Pouncey will hold an active roster spot in Miami, despite still being several weeks away from returning to the field due to major hip surgery.
This was an important decision for the Dolphins. If the team kept Pouncey on the PUP list after today's deadline, he would be required to miss the first six games of the regular season. But rehab has gone well for Pouncey, and this decision indicates the team believes he can return sooner than originally expected.
The Dolphins certainly need their best interior offensive lineman. Pouncey is one of the top centers in the AFC and coming off his first Pro Bowl season in 2013. Miami's running game in the preseason has been inconsistent without Pouncey in the middle.
Pouncey hinted to the Miami media recently that he was excited and aiming for the London game against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4.
"I never played in London before," Pouncey said with a smile.
Pouncey will have a chance to reach that goal now that he's off the PUP list.